Southern James Bay Research Articles

Provenance of middle to late Pleistocene tills in Illinois, U.S.A.: evidence for long-distance (∼ 2000 km) ice transport during two successive glaciations

ABSTRACTZircons extracted from 567 granitic cobbles, in middle to late Pleistocene tills of the Lake Michigan Lobe in Illinois, provide a remarkably consistent Archean age of ∼ 2.7 Ga, with 87% dating between 2.6 and 2.8 Ga. This finding suggests a persistent glacial flow path of the southern Laurentide ice sheet from the Superior Province into the Lake Michigan basin during Marine Isotope Stage 6 (Illinois Episode) and Marine Isotope Stage 2 (Wisconsin Episode). Based on published crystalline bedrock ages in the Canadian Shield, these cobbles are interpreted to have been transported as much as ∼ 2000 km southwestward from the Quebec–Labrador ice dome, east of Hudson Bay, to the ice-sheet terminus in central to southern Illinois, USA. Some of the glacial flow likely skirted eastern Hudson Bay (source of Omar erratics) and southern James Bay, and traversed outcrops of Huronian jasper conglomerate and diamictite along the north shore of Lake Huron. Transport across the Paleozoic strata may have been enhanced, in part, by an ice stream that advanced across relatively soft and water-saturated sediments that underlie the Lake Michigan basin. The Lake Michigan basin, although present earlier in some form, was likely significantly eroded and overdeepened by accelerated glacial flow and erosion during MIS-6, further constraining the southern Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) flow path and influencing its subsequent flow during the last glaciation. As the Lake Michigan Lobe thinned and radiated out from the Lake Michigan basin, topographic effects led to separation of sublobes during the LIS advance to its southernmost extent.

Exploring Canadian Ramsar Sites Ecosystem Governance and Sustainability

The Ramsar Convention came into effect in 1975 and Canada joined in 1981. Since then, Canada has designated 37 Ramsar sites. We examined the types of governance and management activities used in the 37 Canadian Ramsar sites as essential elements for the sustainability of a site. How ecosystem governance could further support environmental sustainability was also explored. Each site was assessed using sustainability indicators developed based on the Ramsar Convention Strategic Plan 2016–2024 and the 14 priority areas of focus including the presence of co-management structures, updated management plans, and monitoring programs. The priority areas of focus support the Ramsar Convention global commitment of wise use conservation, effective management and cooperation. The assessment scores greatly varied in terms of management plans, governance structures and reporting procedures with some sites, such as Old Crow Flats, having high sustainability scores while others, such as Southern James Bay, have low scores. Reasons for variation related to the lack of updated management plans and inadequate monitoring and reporting programs. Sustainability Science provides linkages between ecological and social systems, underpinned by participatory and collaborative governance structures. Canadian Ramsar sites provide a living example of how social-ecological characteristics should be integrated to ensure ecological sustainability.

Long‐Term Survival and Harvest of Resident Canada Geese in Virginia

ABSTRACTResident populations of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are of particular management interest throughout the eastern United States given increased human‐wildlife conflicts due to regional increases in the Atlantic Flyway Resident Population. Within Virginia, USA, growth rates of resident goose populations have been reduced through extended harvest seasons and increased bag limits. Our objective was to investigate spatiotemporal patterns in survival rates and harvest rates of resident geese in Virginia over the past 25 years. We estimated annual survival, recovery, and harvest rates using mark‐recapture data from 1990–2015 for individuals that were banded as resident birds during summer throughout the state. We tested for differences in annual survival probability and harvest rates of resident geese banded and recovered in 3 distinct goose hunt zones: the Atlantic, Southern James Bay, and Western hunt zones, each of which had different hunting regulations. We also tested for differences in survival and harvest rates between individuals banded in rural or urban sampling locations, and between age classes (i.e., after hatch‐year or hatch‐year). In general, survival rates of resident geese over the past 25 years in Virginia are declining. Differences in survival among the 3 goose hunt zones also suggests that current harvest management strategies have reduced survival rates of resident geese. Upon closer examination, we found differences in survival among zones, with resident geese in the Atlantic and Southern James Bay hunt zones showing more negative declines compared to resident geese in the Western zone. Resident geese banded in rural areas had higher survival than urban‐banded geese. We also investigated the effects of sampling effort on survival estimates and found no difference in survival estimates among groups when using 75%, 50%, 25%, or 5% of the data randomly sampled from the full data set, suggesting that banding efforts of resident geese could be reduced and continue to inform adaptive management strategies for these populations throughout Virginia. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.

How far north are migrant birds transporting the tick Ixodes scapularis in Canada? Insights from stable hydrogen isotope analyses of feathers

Lyme disease is emerging in Canada because of northward range expansion of the tick vector Ixodes scapularis. It is hypothesised that I. scapularis feeding on passerine birds migrating north in spring are important in founding new I. scapularis populations leading to northward range expansion. However, there are no studies on how far north I. scapularis may be carried, only inferences from passive tick surveillance. We used stable hydrogen isotope (δ2H) analysis of rectrices collected from northward migrating, I. scapularis-carrying, passerine birds captured in Canada to estimate how far north I. scapularis may be carried. Rectrices are usually grown close to breeding sites and their δ2H values reflect those in the environment, which vary strongly with latitude in North America. Passerines usually return to their breeding or natal sites so δ2H values of rectrices of northward migrating birds can identify the likely latitudinal bands of their intended destinations. In 2006 we analysed δ2H from rectrices of 73 I. scapularis-carrying birds captured at five migration monitoring stations, mainly from southern Ontario. Values of δ2H ranged from −33 to −124‰, suggesting 19/71 (26.7%) birds were destined for latitude band B (the most southerly part of Ontario), 40/71 (56.3%) birds were destined for band C (which extends from southern Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes to southern James Bay) and 12/71 (16.9%) birds were destined for bands D and E (which extend from northern Ontario and Quebec into the southern Canadian Arctic). This indicates that many I. scapularis-carrying migratory birds in spring have destinations far north in Canada, including some farther north than the current region of climatic suitability for I. scapularis. These findings support the hypothesis that I. scapularis may continue to be spread north by spring migrating passerines. Some thrush species may be particularly implicated in far northward dispersion of I. scapularis.

Spring Migratory Pathways and Migration Chronology of Canada Geese (<em>Branta canadensis interior</em>) Wintering at the Santee National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina

We assessed the migratory pathways, migration chronology, and breeding ground affiliation of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis interior) that winter in and adjacent to the Santee National Wildlife Refuge in Summerton, South Carolina, United States. Satellite transmitters were fitted to eight Canada Geese at Santee National Wildlife Refuge during the winter of 2009–2010. Canada Geese departed Santee National Wildlife Refuge between 5 and 7 March 2010. Six Canada Geese followed a route that included stopovers in northeastern North Carolina and western New York, with three of those birds completing spring migration to breeding grounds associated with the Atlantic Population (AP). The mean distance between stopover sites along this route was 417 km, the mean total migration distance was 2838 km, and the Canada Geese arrived on AP breeding grounds on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay between 20 and 24 May 2010. Two Canada Geese followed a different route from that described above, with stopovers in northeastern Ohio, prior to arriving on the breeding grounds on 9 June 2010. Mean distance between stopover sites was 402 and 365 km for these two birds, and total migration distance was 4020 and 3650 km. These data represent the first efforts to track migratory Canada Geese from the southernmost extent of their current wintering range in the Atlantic Flyway. We did not track any Canada Geese to breeding grounds associated with the Southern James Bay Population. Caution should be used in the interpretation of this finding, however, because of the small sample size. We demonstrated that migratory Canada Geese wintering in South Carolina use at least two migratory pathways and that an affiliation with the Atlantic Population breeding ground exists.

Harvest Distribution and Derivation of Atlantic Flyway Canada Geese

Abstract Harvest management of Canada geese Branta canadensis is complicated by the fact that temperate- and subarctic-breeding geese occur in many of the same areas during fall and winter hunting seasons. These populations cannot readily be distinguished, thereby complicating efforts to estimate population-specific harvest and evaluate harvest strategies. In the Atlantic Flyway, annual banding and population monitoring programs are in place for subarctic-breeding (North Atlantic Population, Southern James Bay Population, and Atlantic Population) and temperate-breeding (Atlantic Flyway Resident Population [AFRP]) Canada geese. We used a combination of direct band recoveries and estimated population sizes to determine the distribution and derivation of the harvest of those four populations during the 2004–2005 through 2008–2009 hunting seasons. Most AFRP geese were harvested during the special September season (42%) and regular season (54%) and were primarily taken in the state or province in which they were banded. Nearly all of the special season harvest was AFRP birds: 98% during September seasons and 89% during late seasons. The regular season harvest in Atlantic Flyway states was also primarily AFRP geese (62%), followed in importance by the Atlantic Population (33%). In contrast, harvest in eastern Canada consisted mainly of subarctic geese (42% Atlantic Population, 17% North Atlantic Population, and 6% Southern James Bay Population), with temperate-breeding geese making up the rest. Spring and summer harvest was difficult to characterize because band reporting rates for subsistence hunters are poorly understood; consequently, we were unable to determine the magnitude of subsistence harvest definitively. A better understanding of subsistence hunting is needed because this activity may account for a substantial proportion of the total harvest of subarctic populations. Our results indicate that special September and late seasons in the United States were highly effective in targeting AFRP geese without significantly increasing harvest of subarctic populations. However, it is evident that AFRP geese still are not being harvested at levels high enough to reduce their numbers to the breeding population goal of 700,000.

IMPACT OF SPECIAL EARLY HARVEST SEASONS ON SUBARCTIC-NESTING AND TEMPERATE-NESTING CANADA GEESE

Dramatic changes in wintering distributions of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) have occurred over the past 50 years in eastern North America. Declines in numbers of subarctic-nesting geese wintering in southern states, and increases in numbers wintering in northern regions, have resulted in a northern shift in winter distributions. In contrast, numbers of temperate-nesting geese have increased throughout eastern North America. Management efforts to control overabundant temperate-nesting flocks have included the establishment of special early harvest seasons in September. However, the effect of early seasons on survival and harvest of subarctic-nesting populations has not been documented. Understanding the timing of migration movements and the fidelity of subarctic-nesting flocks to terminal winter refuges in the Southeast also is necessary to design early harvest seasons that target temperate-nesting flocks and protect subarctic-nesting populations. We used recoveries of marked geese to estimate survival and harvest rates before and after implementation of early harvest seasons within the Mississippi Flyway during 1976–1999. In addition, we used observations of neck-banded geese from the Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) to evaluate the hypothesis that subarctic-nesting geese arriving prior to mid-December on several key terminal winter refuges in the Southeast (early arriving migrants) were more likely to return to those refuges in subsequent years than were migrants arriving after mid-December (late arriving migrants). September seasons during 1987–1994 were a minor source of mortality for subarctic-nesting populations and accounted for <10% of their annual harvest mortality. The effectiveness of early seasons for increasing mortality of temperate-nesting flocks varied among the states we examined and was tempered by concurrent changes in state-specific harvest regulations during the regular harvest season. For SJBP Canada geese, annual fidelity to southeastern refuges was 10% higher for early arrivers than for late arriving geese. However, in any given year only 47–57% of the surviving geese were expected to return to the refuges the following year. Although early arriving migrants had higher survival and higher return probabilities than did late arriving migrants or geese that failed to return, numbers of geese wintering on southeastern refuges likely declined because <60% of the surviving geese affiliated with the refuges would return in a given year and because of lower survival for geese that did not return to the refuges.

Yellow Rail Distribution and Numbers in Southern James Bay, Québec, Canada

Abstract We surveyed Yellow Rails (Coturnicops noveboracensis) in three marshes located in southeastern James Bay, Canada, in order to document the status and distribution of this species at risk. Night-surveys of calling males were made along 75 km of line transect on 21-25 July 2002, and 186 individual Yellow Rails were recorded: 80 in Cabbage Willows Bay, 77 in Boatswain Bay, and 29 in Hall Cove. Daytime surveys yielded 19 additional calling males, giving a total of 205 male rails. Transects were distributed in plant communities dominated by Slimstem Reedgrass (Calamagrostis stricta), Chaffy Sedge (Carex paleacea), Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), or by Red Fescue (Festuca rubra). There was an overall density of 0.05 calling rails per ha with maximum densities in Boatswain Bay (0.08 male/ha) and Hall Cove (0.06 males/ha). Densities calculated for specific plant communities permitted an estimate of 397 male Yellow Rail inhabiting the marshes: 216 in Boatswain Bay, 132 in Cabbage Willows Bay, and 49 in ...

Influence of Body Size and Condition on Harvest and Survival of Juvenile Canada Geese

Direct recoveries for Canada goose (Branta canadensis interior) goslings from the portion of the Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) on Akimiski Island, Nunavut, Canada, have declined markedly since 1987. We suspected that poor gosling nutrition, due to limited food resources on brood-rearing areas, was causing low survival. Consequently, we measured body size and condition of 2,893 unfledged goslings during late July and early August, 1994-1996. Based on 128 recoveries of dead birds during hunting seasons and 69 recaptures during summer on Akimiski Island, we estimated the separate influences of gosling size and condition on subsequent probabilities of recovery by hunters and survival. Estimated survival probabilities were 0.025, 0.051, and 0.147, and reporting probabilities were 0.0026, 0.0051, and 0.0142 for 1994-1996, respectively. Annual variation in both probabilities was related to size and condition of goslings, which were largest and in the best condition in 1996, followed by 1995, and then 1994. Estimates of slopes suggested that relatively small increases in both body size and condition resulted in increased survival and reporting probabilities. Unlike previous waterfowl research, our results showed that the largest goslings, and those in the best condition, were the most likely to be shot. We suggest that goslings in poor condition died on Akimiski Island before they fledged. We conclude that food availability was limiting recruitment, and predict that harvest restrictions on SJBP Canada geese will not result in an increase in the segment of the population that nests on Akimiski Island.

Environmental Effects on Body Size of Canada Geese

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis interior) breeding on Akimiski Island, North- west Territories, and those breeding on the Ontario mainland southwest of James Bay, share a common wintering range and are considered to be part of the same population, but differ significantly in size (e.g. skull length of mainland birds averages ca. 8% greater than that of Akimiski birds). We collected eggs in each area and raised the goslings in a common envi- ronment to determine environmental effects on differences in body-size traits observed in wild birds. We found no differences in asymptotic size or growth periods for skull, culmen, and tarsus length among birds from different origins (P > 0.05) but significant differences between sexes (P < 0.05). Estimated asymptotes for skull length of captives were interme- diate to those of wild insular and mainland adults but closer to those of the larger mainland birds. Captive goslings from Akimiski Island had structural measurements that averaged 8 to 17% larger than those of wild goslings of the same age on the island. These results suggest a significant environmental effect on observed differences in body size between insular and mainland populations in southern James Bay. We suggest that lower per capita food avail- ability explains the smaller size of Canada Geese on Akimiski Island. Received 24 October 1996, accepted 29 May 1997.

Clinal Size Variation in Canada Geese Affects Morphometric Discrimination Techniques

We evaluated morphometric discrimination models designed to use skull length to differentiate between giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) and interior Canada geese (B. c. interior). We found significant differences in mean skull lengths of interior Canada geese from 3 areas in James Bay (Duncan's multiple range test, P < 0.05). Geese decreased in size with increasing latitude, but those from Akimiski Island did not fit this pattern, and were smaller than those from the adjacent mainland. Morphometric discrimination techniques appeared to work adequately in northwest James Bay and on Akimiski Island, but were less reliable in southern James Bay, where the largest interior Canada geese were found. Molt migrant giant Canada geese were apparent in all areas, but most were distinguishable by morphometric methods from interiors at all sites except southern James Bay. Detailed knowledge of geographic variation in body size will improve the usefulness of morphometric discrimination techniques for Canada goose research and management. We recommend the skull length models developed by Moser and Rolley (1990) for use in differentiating giant from interior Canada geese in much of the Mississippi Flyway, except where southern James Bay mainland geese occur. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 61(1):183-190

DAMMING JAMES BAY: II. IMPACTS ON COASTAL MARSHES

The damming of James Bay as proposed by the grand Canal Scheme will influence the hydrology of the coastal marshes. The salinity regime of two James Bay marshes were compared to understand the processes that govern salinity in the zone near mean high water (mhw) and to predict changes that may result from this proposed impoundment. Data suggest that sites along southern James Bay would be minimally affected because of the current low level of salinity. The northern marshes would, however, experience significant changes, as their primary source of salt is from saline tidewater. A simulation of the vertical salt and water fluxes at a northern location predicts a rapid reduction in the chloride concentration at mhw, which should approach the present values for southern James Bay in about 10 years. Above mhw, the salt will be leached quickly, so that within four years the surface chloride concentration will be reduced to the level currently found in southern James Bay.

DAMMING JAMES BAY: I. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON COASTAL CLIMATE AND THE WATER BALANCE

The proposed grand Canal project calls for the damming of James Bay and the diversion of its water southward. This first part of a two‐part study models some potential impacts on the climate, water balance, and growth patterns in the James Bay coastal zone. Use is made of a linear relationship of Bowen ratio and temperature, developed from studies of coastal wetlands in southern and northwestern James Bay and central Hudson Bay. It is hypothesized that changing James Bay into a fresh‐water lake and disrupting its coastal currents would result in a delayed Bay ice melt of unknown length in the spring. Allowing a delay to vary between 0 and 30 days results in the prediction of lesser evaporation and greater water surplus. These differences in magnitude increase with the length of delayed melt, but in all cases are most strongly evident during the peak of the growing season. Colder and wetter conditions would have a strong ecological impact on all coastal areas of western and southern James Bay. In the northwest this could change the species composition of coastal flora, cause forests to retreat from the coast, and result in the growth of permafrost there.

On the occurrence of hypersaline sediments in James Bay coastal marshes

Measurements of soil salinity, soil moisture, and specific yield, along with depth to the water table, explain the occurrence of a band of hypersaline sediments, ubiquitous along James Bay coastal marshes, that profoundly affects vegetation development. The salinity of the hypersaline zone ranges from 8 g/kg Cl in a southern James Bay marsh, to 28 g/kg in the north, nearly an order of magnitude more than local sediments outside this zone. This common, yet previously unexplained, feature restricts the vegetation development to salt-tolerant species such as Salicornia maritima, Puccinellia phryganodes, and Triglochlin maritimum. The hypersaline zone is rarely inundated by tides, but frequent inundation of the seaward zone maintains a high water table there, with soil salinity, hence vegetation patterns that reflect the ambient tidewater salinity. At sites inland of the hypersaline band the development of an organic layer with a high moisture content supplied by meteoric water and high specific yield maintains relatively fresh water near the surface, imposing minimal salinity restrictions to vegetation. Intermediate to these zones of high water table is the hypersaline band, which has no organic layer and whose surface is not wetted by tides. Its depressed water table causes flow convergence, and the only water sink is through evaporation, which concentrates the salt imported in groundwater. Key words: James Bay, marsh, salinity, hydrology, vegetation.

SALINITY OF MARSHES ALONG THE JAMES BAY COAST, ONTARIO, CANADA

James Bay lowland in Ontario is occupied by one of the most extensive stretches of marshes in North America. The salinities of tide water and sediments from the northern and the southern sectors of the coastal marshes are compared. The distribution of salt is affected by different processes at these two sites. In the north, Bay water of relatively high salinity is introduced to the marsh by tides, as is generally found in coastal marshes elsewhere. The tidewater in southern James Bay has low salinity and the salt in the marsh is released by molecular diffusion from relict salt deposited with the post-glacial Tyrrell sea sediments. This study demonstrates that the salt in coastal marshes may be introduced by different processes and from different sources.

Vegetation patterns in James Bay coastal marshes. II. Effects of hydrology on salinity and vegetation

The vegetation of a coastal marsh in southern James Bay was examined in reference to the salinity and hydrological processes. Regional hydrologic influences related to the freshwater budget of James Bay reduce the local salinity so that the vegetation typifies that of a fresh to brackish marsh system, in contrast to the Hudson Bay salt marshes reported in the literature. Thus species that thrive in areas of higher salinity have only limited occurrence at the study site. Infrequent tidal inundation of low salinity bay water diminishes surface salinity, which is primarily controlled by the interaction of marsh hydrology with fossil salt diffusing upward from postglacial deposits. The soil water salinity increases with depth and distance inland. However, local hydrologic gradients near raised beach ridges and incised stream channels affect surface runoff and groundwater recharge and discharge, producing further distinct spatial variations in salinity. These processes thus control the distribution of saline water in the rooting zone and hence the patterns of vegetation.

PODZOLIC SOIL DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTHERN JAMES BAY LOWLANDS, ONTARIO

Nine soil profiles from a 52-km-long transect orthogonal to the coast of Southern James Bay range in age from 1000 to 3000 yr. The depth of carbonate leaching, mass of vermiculite clay formation, profile organic matter and amorphous material (Fe, Al and Si) accumulation were determined. Rates of these pedogenetic processes were calculated, and compared to rates in a cooler, drier area on the Hudson Bay Coast. The rates are about twice as rapid in the southern James Bay area as in the Hudson Bay Coastal zone. These differences in rates are explained on the basis of mean annual temperature and precipitation. Key words: Vermiculite, carbonate leaching, rates of pedogenesis

Vegetation of river-influenced coastal marshes of the southwestern end of Kames Bay, Ontario

A study was made of the vegetation of four river-influenced coastal marshes located between the Moose River and Harricanaw River in southern James Bay. Six major grouping of species were found. These include: 1. a salt marsh dominated byPuccinellia phryganodes, P. lucida, Hippuris tetraphylla. andScirpus maritimus. 2. saline ponds withSenecio congestus, 3. a saline/brackish meadow marsh withCarex paleacea. 4. an intentidal estuarine marsh withEleocharis palustris, 5. freshwater ponds withPolamogeton filiformis, and 6. a freshwater marsh/fen.

The energy balance in the coastal environment of James Bay and Hudson Bay during the growing season

AbstractEnergy balance measurements were made simultaneously at a terrestrial site in southern James Bay (SJB) and one in central Hudson Bay (CHB) during the growing season of 1985. Both sites were located 1 km inland from east‐west trending coastlines and both were fully vegetated with sedge grasses growing in standing water. The SJB site is in a non‐permafrost environment, whereas the CHB site is underlain by continuous permafrost.The measurements indicate that the magnitudes of all components of the energy balance, except net radiation, are strongly dependent on wind direction. Onshore winds are dominant. With onshore winds, the ground heat flux, evaporative heat flux and air temperature are smaller than for offshore winds and the sensible heat flux is larger. These relationships are apparent when the wind is directionally persistent for a full day and when there is a major wind shift between onshore and offshore during the day.With colder air temperatures the Bowen ratio becomes much larger than would be expected under conditions of potential evapotranspiration. This appears to be caused by a rapid increase in the canopy resistance of sedge grasses which occurs when air temperatures drop below 16°C.Components of the energy balance are linearly correlated with air temperature. This could be useful in predicting the impact of human activities which result in long term temperature change in the Hudson Bay lowlands, which is a large area with a very sparse climate database.

Components of the Surface Radiation Balance of Subarctic Wetland Terrain Units During the Snow-Free Season

The magnitude and behavior of net radiation, albedo, and surface radiative temperatures for three coastal wetland sites on southern James Bay were monitored during the snow-free season. The three terrains were a relatively dry coastal backshore, an inner marsh, and an alder/willow forest. Surface wetness was found to be the most important factor prior to vegetation growth. During this period the drier site had an albedo of 0.18, while albedo for the wet marsh and the forest averaged 0.11. Albedos at the wetter sites increased rapidly after the initiation of vegetation growth and during the period of grand growth. The increase in albedo is shown to be linearly related to changes in leaf area. After the vegetation cover was fully established, albedos at all sites were similar. Net radiation in the wetland was primarily determined by albedo and incoming solar radiation. Site to site differences were small in all periods.Although mean daily radiative temperatures were similar at all sites before growth, the b...